“I’ve been waiting for this day my entire life. I just want it to be perfect,” she grins, her cheeks bright and rosy. “My friend said you’re incredible. That you’ll make me something breathtaking.”
“I’m so excited you get to marry the man of your dreams, Tilly. And I’m honored to be designing your wedding dress. I’m going to grab my folder from the back room, if you’ll give me a moment. Then we can go over some designs so I can get an idea of what you’re looking for as my starting point.”
“Oh no, I don’t even want to do that. I’m giving you full free rein over this one.”
My mouth drops open. It’s a designer’s dream to hear those words from any client. Of course, it can go very badly if, in the end, the client gives you no guidance and ends up not liking the same things you like…but on the other hand, I can create the most beautiful statement piece that will have other clients flocking to my brand.
“Are you sure? You don’t want to just glance at some ideas?” I ask, double-checking.
“I promise you, I’m not one of those crazy people who’re going to storm in here all upset when you show me what you’ve created, because I completely know you’ll make me the most magnificent dress ever. There is no limit to my budget. So, please, go wild. Make something you’d be excited to wear!”
“I can do that. I’ll have the design put together by the end of the week. Once you’ve seen it, my team will be able to make it a priority.”
“That sounds perfect. I’ll see you on Friday, then?” Tilly stands, wiggling her hips in excitement. Her happiness spills over onto me as she impulsively reaches out and hugs me.
“Friday,” I nod, smiling as she steps back.
Tilly waves when she walks out of the studio door. I stare after her for a long time before I pick up my sketchbook and start designing her dress.
I don’t know what it is about her, but her bright eyes, her happy smile—she makes me think of what I used to think my wedding would be like. How excited I would be.
But things have changed now.
My future husband might be a stranger, not someone I chose myself. He might be anything and anyone. I might be happy with him, sure, but the chances are low considering how difficult it is to find real love in this world.
As I sketch, I realize I’m drawingmydream wedding dress for Tilly.
It makes sense, seeing as I won’t get the wedding of my dreams—she may as well have the dress I’ve been envisioning all my life.
Hours roll by, and I’m lost in the art of it. Sketching, adding details, making it the most realistic version of my dress I’ve ever drawn. Tilly is going to love it. How can she not?
While I’m drawing, I let my mind wander. I let myself pretend that I’m as happy as Tilly. I daydream about a beautiful future with a loving, kind man who supports my dreams. He’s gorgeous, with soft brown eyes and dark hair.
My mind wanders further, and that man is Yulian. I don’t stop myself from daydreaming. Because in this moment, I’m happy, and I can feel that happiness flowing through into my design.
I hear the soft chime of my door opening and look up from the drawing I’ve been lost in for hours.
“Hi,” he grins, walking towards me. He’s absolutely gorgeous. My heart still flutters every time I see him. And now, after my silly daydream, I’m grinning like a fool. “How’s work going?” he asks, looking down at my sketch.
“Oh, this is for a new client, Tilly. She gave me free rein, which almost never happens, so I’ve been designing her a wedding dress that I think… I think I would wear.” I smile sheepishly, getting shy even saying it out loud, and trying to close the sketchbook to hide it from his prying eyes.
He takes my hand, stopping me.
“It’s beautiful, Kat. It would look incredible on you,” he says, his voice low.
“Well, it belongs to Tilly now. She’s the client.”
Yulian shakes his head. “Actually, Tilly is my brother’s personal assistant. I borrowed her to have her come over to pretend to be the client. I’m the client, Kat. I’m the one whowanted you to design that dress,” he says, his eyes piercing into me.
My brows furrow, my nose scrunching in confusion. “I don’t understand,” I mutter.
“Katerina, will you marry me, and wear your dream dress?”
The silence is so heavy between us that I can hear it ringing in my ears.
“Marry…you?” I stammer. “Yulian, what? Why? What?” I trip over my words.
Yulian takes my hand, pulling me away from my workbench to my feet. He stands in front of me with my hands in his as he speaks.
